Where to Eat, Play and Shop in Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn Heights is well-known for its quiet little blocks full of beautiful brownstones and carriage houses, nestled under leafy trees. With its picturesque location, right on the waterfront, Brooklyn Heights has long been a desirable neighbourhood to live in, as well as a popular destination for tourists who end up on Montague Street after a scenic walk along the promenade.

This historic neighbourhood is also a quiet haven for families, so it’s no wonder that Brooklyn Heights is loaded with kid-friendly places to eat, play and explore.

Where to eat
Feel like a light snack, or breakfast or lunch? Check out Le Pain Quotidien (121 Montague street), one of the most kid-friendly restaurants you’ll ever find. They do great iced teas, croissants, fruit tarts and quiches. For a special occasion or fancy brunch, wake up early to score a table (and an expertly-mixed cocktails) at Colonie (127 Atlantic Ave). In hot weather, grab a gelato at Peas n’ Pickles or a homemade scoop (or two!) of ice-cream from Ample Hills, which recently opened a concession stand at Pier 5. For an early dinner and glass of wine, head over to Dellaroccos (214 Hicks St) for some delicious wood-fired pizza.

Where to play
Brooklyn Heights families are lucky to have two amazing, spanking-new playgrounds for kids of all ages to enjoy. Check out Pier 6 for a dizzying variety of specialised play areas: Swing Valley (recently re-opened after being severely damaged during last year’s hurricane), Slide Mountain (where you can zoom down some heart-stopping slides), The Water Lab (it’s a zoo in summer, so when possible, go on weekdays while kids are still in school) and Sandbox Village. Pier 5 is brand-brand-new, and features a toddler playground, a bigger kid’s play area, plus a huge soccer field and barbecue area. Another playground worth visiting is the recently dedicated Adam Yauch Park (Atlantic Ave, Columbia Pl, State St). It’s named for the famous Beastie Boy, who grew up in the neighbourhood playing in this playground.

Where to shop
Check out Heights Kids (93 Pineapple Walk), a favourite with locals for its wide range of everything kids might need, from toys and teething rings to clothes and car seats. Other boutique kids stores worth check out are Junior Lowe (89 Atlantic Ave), a kids clothing with the tagline “for little Brooklyn hipsters”, and Nest Egg Kids (109 Atlantic Ave), a cozy little kids toy store that focus on handmade toys of good quality and style. Check out the flower shop next door to Nest Egg Kids, Floral Heights and see if your name is on the blackboard that day – if it is, you get a free flower!